European Insurance

Sorry for the lack of updates...it turns out that a thesis can keep you quite busy! haha Anyways, I have had quite the experience with insurance here, and I thought it was worth sharing my thoughts. (Please note these are my opinions, and you are welcome to have yours as well!)
As everyone knows, I broke my leg before I left. I had no insurance here for the first month and a half or so, but the total for all doctors visits, x-rays, casts, etc (without insurance) was about $1,000. I joked with the doctors (they thought it was expensive) that at home in the USA, without insurance, I'd be paying on that one accident for the rest of my life.
Anyways, fast forward a few months. In the past month or so I've been to 3 different emergency rooms (without a primary doctor you go here first-AND-the wait time in an emergency room? About an hour!). I've seen 3 specialists. I have a dentist appointment and orthopedic surgeon appointment next week. Tonight I pick up my $5,000/month medicine. How much did all of this cost? Free! If you want to get into the technicalities of course, I will let you know that I pay 50 euros a month for health insurance and 10 euros for my expensive medicine.
Basically, I feel absolutely lucky that I am here at this point. And I love how everyone really does their job. Last night I had to visit the hospital for my stomach disease. My wait time was approximately less than an hour, they immediately knew which tests to run. At this point it was "after-hours" but a doctor was called off his floor to come run my tests, and not only was he nice, but I didn't have to wait hours for him, he came direct. (And there really was no sense of urgency.) Its just nice to not have to worry about how much will this cost at the end. They run what they need to, and there is no second questions.

So do I love this universal healthcare? Absolutely. I could not recommend it more. It is a really great program.

Would I ever vote for it at home, or recommend it at home? Absolutely not. In my opinion, the greatest problem we'd run into is the mindset of everyone. I feel like the gross majority don't take as much pride in their work at home, and for those getting treated, I feel like there would be way too many people taking advantage of the system. If I were to erase the sentences above, my simplest conclusion would be: I honestly could never see it working at home. If you were to experience it yourself, I think you would well agree with me.

In the USA, I think we do need a large overhaul on our healthcare system, but I honestly feel that overhauling ourselves into a universal healthcare system would be an epic fail, face palm moment. Feel free to leave questions/comments!

Croatia!!!! (photos won't upload...I apologize)

Wow, I don't even know how to begin this post. When I was getting ready to leave for my first "eastern European" country, I was so nervous and upset....I've heard so many bad stories, so what should I expect?
I could go on and on about my thoughts of what it could be-they were obviously negative. (I've always wanted to travel here-its been a life dream, so that is why I still went). But this is me here to say...throw these thoughts away! We have been told so much about these countries, and it is just so wrong. Needless to say, I got upset about nothing. I am in Zagreb, Croatia. I feel like this is actually one of the safest cities in Europe that I've traveled to. It is absolutely beautiful. The people are so friendly, and when they ask you questions or want to talk to you, they are being 100% honest and they really care about what you are saying. In fact, I went into a "touristy" store and got talking to a lady that worked there. We talked for a good hour, and she said if I was still in town tomorrow, that she'd take me for a walk around the city! Its just been an unbelievable, eye-opening, enriching trip.
This is what I love about traveling. I love meeting people. I love listening to the stories they have to tell about their countries. I love learning about history from another point of view, or just learning about history I never knew.
I have been so lucky to be able to travel as much as I have. Nothing will ever take these experiences away from me. And these experiences change me, and they help me to grow better as a person.

Dear Self...

You need to pick it up and stop procrastinating! Or else you are going to really, really regret it. You are now a graduate student. Stop finding every excuse, and just do it.

By the way...its easy to tell when there are test/midterms/finals/projects in my life. Because then:
- My food supplies dwindle
- My weight subsequently rises
- My room is mysteriously clean
- My trash can is empty
- I have lost interest in Facebook
- I'm caught up on the latest episodes..of everything.
- My blog is updated. :)

Procrastination = my best friend

Dear Salzburg....

We need to have a talk.

1.) I think your bus drivers are either stressed or need a brush-up on their driving skills. Every bus today has run a curb..I've seen it happen even on buses I wasn't on. Needless to say its very uncomfortable, and I really don't like getting thrown around. While we are on the subject, yes, you do in fact have brakes on your bus, and no, you do not need to consistently use them.

2.) I realize you are a little more relaxed than the Germans, but please, can you put some clocks up somewhere? I love wearing a watch and all, but sometimes its just nice to have a clock.

3.) While we are on the subject of the Germans, I realize that you take after them in your necessity to keep things clean. This is completely fine with me, but please just realize that right now we are at below freezing temperatures, and even though the streets are nice and clean, when you put a layer of water of them in these temperatures, it makes Amy VERY unhappy! Are you trying to kill me or what?!

4.) To the men of the Red Cross (and my doctors): I know I have a boyfriend, but if any of you are feeling the need to marry (or go on a date), I am ready and willing! On a side note...Dear Salzburg, please keep icing the streets-maybe in another "Unfall" I can meet one of these men :)

5.) My final opinion of today...Dear Salzburg people and Europeans in general...look around you...ok, now take about two steps back. Now you are within an acceptable distance. I really don't my backpack being touched, let alone someone up my butt constantly. I have a bubble! (and a boyfriend) ;)

Thank you for listening. Love, Amy.

Alcohol on Campus

Hopefully I can expand on this idea later, but it was something that really stood out to me today. I actually think this is a cool idea. When I studied abroad last year in Heidelberg, it surprised all of us that there was beer served in the student cafeteria. You can find the same here in our cafeteria. There are also coffee machines (like vending machines) on every floor, in almost every hallway where you can buy a nice "spiked" coffee as well. And of course today, students were having a fundraiser (to travel to the US!), but they were selling Gluhwein (a warm-spiced wine) to earn money. I really wish US schools, and US as a whole wasn't so strict about alcohol rules. I feel like the more you try to restrict people, the more they will try to act out and resist. Students here don't go all out crazy...they just have a beer to have a beer. Construction workers here have a beer as part of their lunch. It's just nice to have the freedom of drinking what you want, where you want (respectably).

Christmas is officially here

For those of you that don't know, mainly Germany and Austria have these Christmas markets that open halfway through November, and stay open until Christmas Day. I've heard you mainly buy decorations from the markets, but they also sell this lovely thing called Gluhwein (a hot spiced wine) and punsch. Anyways, these people are SERIOUS about their Christmas. Lights and Christmas trees are up, Christmas items are on the shelves, and everyone is just in that spirit. Here's a few photos taken over the last few weeks:

I was sitting at the bus stop and I was watching these cranes raise and lower, and raise and lower, and well you know...until I realized they were putting up Christmas lights! So my question is, how many people does it take to put lights on this tree? About 10. Look closely and you may be able to see the photographers in the boxes with the people putting up lights. Wow.



Here they are at it again with the lights...I was trying to study for a test. I wonder if the people in those houses have to sign an agreement with the city when they move in-its been super cold out and they have to leave their windows open for these guys. This was directly outside my window!



After all the time I spent trying to catch the lights on-they are really nice!





Here are some photos from last night...the markets open tonight! :

To the left of these lights is where the market is...sorry you can't see it! Below the lights is a temporary ice rink :)



Here is the ice rink:



The Krampus posters:



And finally a view of my street:



And that my friends is my life. I hope you enjoyed the pictures! <3

It's getting to be that time!

No, by popular belief, I have NOT forgotten about this blog...it's just so dang hard to keep up with, with the amount of homework we get! Maybe after midterms? Anyways..I'm cutting into precious homework time here.
The Christmas lights are going up here in town. I can't wait till they light them all up! Oh, and in less than the month the parades start. What do I mean by parades? Krampus parades. And for those of you that have never heard of these, they are scary: (this link isn't of the actual parade, but you can see what they look like) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBt0pVkcVt4
Why are they scary? Notice the whips-they DO whip you. And I've seen really nasty bruises they can leave. I was told to stay in and watch from my window. (Who knows, maybe I'll get adventurous). It's all supposed to be in fun and game. Either way, can't wait to see it!
Christmas markets begin here in 4 days!!! Gluhwein....ahhh can't wait!
Midterms are next week....booo. Will definitely need the Gluhwein to keep me sedated. lol
Oh and even more awesome, all my visitors will be here soon! Libby in 35ish days, Aaron in 40ish days, and April and her friend in 45ish days. =]

And on another note, I found a grocery store that charges a third of the price for the groceries I would get next door. Its a little farther away, but so much worth it. And they have a larger selection of foods. Oh, and its next to a DRIVE-THRU MCDONALDS. I've never seen a drive-thru anything in Europe. And they have free refills. Very exciting! There is also a place to go tanning across the street which I need to check out, and a few stores nearby that looked cool...if only I can find the time.

I can't wait to get some Christmas shopping done. It's going to be an expensive year-I can tell already lol

I'll try to update you all more soon. Stay tuned.